Hawaii is the most remote inhabited place on Earth after Easter Island. The archipelago is located in the central Pacific Ocean, 3850 km from California and 6195 km from Japan. Oahu is the third largest and most populated island in the Hawaiian archipelago. On the southeast coast of the island is the capital of Hawaii, Honolulu.
For Europeans, the islands were discovered by English captain James Cook in 1778, who named them the Sandwich Islands. In the same place in Hawaii in Kealakekua Bay in 1779, Cook was killed by the hands (or spears) of the natives.
1. Pearl Harbor is the name of the harbor, most of which is occupied by the central base of the Pacific Fleet of the US Navy.
In 1875, the United States and the Kingdom of Hawaii entered into a cooperation agreement that gave the United States Navy access to Pearl Harbor in exchange for special conditions for importing Hawaiian sugar into the United States. Later, following the results of the Spanish-American War of 1898, the United States finally captured Hawaii. After the annexation, the harbor was enlarged to accommodate more ships.
2. The deck of the battleship Missouri.
The attack on Pearl Harbor prompted the United States to enter World War II. So they write in textbooks. On the morning of December 7, aircraft from Japanese aircraft carriers attacked airfields on Oahu and ships at anchor in the harbor.
On September 2, 1945, the Japanese Surrender Act was signed aboard the battleship Missouri, ending World War II.
During the Japanese strikes, 4 battleships, 2 destroyers and a minelayer were sunk. Another 4 battleships, 3 light cruisers and 1 destroyer were seriously damaged. The losses of American aviation amounted to 188 aircraft destroyed, 159 more were seriously damaged. The Americans lost 2,403 people killed (of which more than 1,000 were killed on board the exploding battleship Arizona, which is pictured) and 1,178 wounded. The Japanese lost 29 aircraft - 15 dive bombers, 5 torpedo bombers and 9 fighters. 5 midget submarines were sunk. Losses in people amounted to 55 people.
3. Self-propelled sea-based X-band surface radar system, designed for operations in the open ocean to identify enemy warheads and high-precision tracking them.
4.On August 21, 1959, Hawaii received the status of the US state, 50th in a row. In the same year, the official nickname "Aloha State" (State of Hospitality) was assigned to Hawaii.
The famous Waikiki Beach in downtown Honolulu is visited by over 70,000 people daily, representing 44% of the state's total visitors.
5. Oahu is home to about a million people, which is approximately 75% of the population of the entire state of Hawaii.
7. Eh, I would go there at night with a camera and flashlights ...
8. Training military base on the territory of the former airfield in Waimanalo. You can enlarge the photo and search for people.
Enlarge image
9. Honolulu International Airport is the most important transport hub in the northern part The Pacific, through which the routes connecting the USA and Canada with East Asia, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand pass.
10. Runway 4R / 22L.
11. Wheeler Air Force Base.
12. Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base.
13. Container terminal on Sand Island.
14. Tourists admire the panorama of Honolulu from observation deck on the crater of the Coco volcano.
15. And this is the famous pineapple plantations of the island. In the 1960s, Hawaii grew 80% of the pineapple sold in the world. Today, however, only 2% of all world pineapples are produced here, which is about 320,000 tons of pineapples per year.
16. Harvesting process.
17. Maze at the Dole Pineapple Plantation. In 2001, it was entered in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest in the world.
18. Bizarre forms of coral reefs.
24. Brave surfer.
28. Lanai observation deck. It is said to have excellent ocean views.
29. Ganauma Bay Nature Reserve with great beach, huge turtles, paid admission and compulsory 20 minute movie.
33. All Hawaiian Islands are volcanic. This means that the islands are actually the top of huge seamounts, formed by violent volcanic eruptions. The largest of these is the Big Island, more than a kilometer above Everest. But the main part of the mountain is under water.
34. Kahana Valley State Park.
35. Tunnels on the H-3 Tetsuo Harano.
37. The island was the filming location of the famous TV series "Lost" and the movie "Jurassic Park".
43. And in conclusion, a few fun facts:
The Hawaiian alphabet consists of only 12 letters.
Hawaii is the only state whose territory is constantly expanding (due to volcanic eruptions).
Hawaii is the only US state where white people are in the minority.
Life expectancy in Hawaii is the longest in the United States, at 75 for men and 80 for women.
Hawaii has the lowest number of overweight people of any state in the United States.
Hawaii is the only state where coffee is grown.
Thank you for attention!
Other reports from the USA.
We invite you to see the main attractions of Oahu. Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head Volcano are the visiting card of the island. Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii and the heart of the Pacific paradise. Luxury combined with the brightest shores. Here is the best beach vacation in Hawaii is every traveler's dream. Eden for hearts in love.
Excursions to Oahu and entertainment for all tastes is designed to explore the beauty and diversity of the island. The most popular destinations in Oahu include the historic downtown area and Waikiki Beach. Better to book in advance - a show that is among the top 10 best in America. Be sure to visit the world famous Kailua Beach and, if you're lucky enough to find an empty seat at a table, at President Obama's favorite restaurant. The best snorkeling in Hawaii is definitely in the submerged crater of the Hanauma Bay volcano, and if you don't feel like urinating, you can see the underwater world of Hawaii even from the bathyscaphe. The famous surf capital on the North Shore with 12 meter waves and other best Oahu beaches, of which there are more than 120, cruises and romantic sunsets in the ocean, helicopter flights in Hawaii (you can even without doors) and of course walks in will make your holidays in Oahu are unforgettable.
Oahu island attracts more tourists than any other island in Hawaii. About 6 million tourists (mainly from the American mainland and Japan) come here every year to enjoy a typical beach holiday. With a total area of \u200b\u200b1,545 km2, Oahu has a bird's eye view of two mountain ranges on each side of the island: Waianae on the west coast and Koolau on the east.
Mother Nature has carved out green valleys, graced the island with sandy beaches. With colorful sunsets, beautiful unspoilt natural surroundings, a huge variety of golden beaches and weather that fluctuates between perfect and perfect, Oahu has a lot to offer vacationers. The island attracts visitors with its incredible beauty of nature and developed tourist infrastructure. The island is home to almost 1 million inhabitants, but the number of visitors increases the population of the island by about 100,000.
CRATER DIAMOND HEAD
Places of Interest Oahu
Beaches
Oahu - A mecca of sun and sand, revered by fans of beaches and water sports. Oahu has over 125 beaches for every taste, the very name of the island is associated with the beaches and the ocean. With an average annual water temperature of 25 ° C, it is easy to understand why millions of visitors from all over the world regularly come here on vacation. Each of the beaches has its own unique features that make it stand out from the rest. Some of them are popular with surfers, others are suitable for sailing, and others are ideal for a comfortable family vacation.
WAIKIKI
Hanauma Bay ... Only 16 km from Waikiki is Hanauma Bay, one of the best snorkelling spots on Oahu. A small beach surrounded by palm trees is located in the crater of an extinct volcano, destroyed by the ocean on one side. The sheltered bay provides protection from strong currents and large waves - ideal conditions for swimmers and divers. Since 1967, Hanauma Bay has been granted the status of a Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. Paid access since 1998 has led to a decrease in the number of holidaymakers. In 2002, the Maritime Education Center was opened, visitors are obliged to first watch a short film and familiarize themselves with the rules of respect for the nature of the bay. Today, Hanauma Bay receives an average of 3000 visitors a day, or about a million a year.
BAY OF KHANAUM
Halona Beach Cove ... Near Hanauma Bay is Halona Beach Cove, a small but very beautiful cove. The film "From Here to Eternity" was filmed here.
THE BAY OF ETERNITY
Waimānalo - Waimānalo Beach with a total length of almost 9 km - the longest sandy beach on the island of Oahu. The beach has escaped commercial development (there are no hotels nearby) and is notable for its local flavor and proximity to the Hawaii Sea Life Park.
MACAPUU BEACH
Lanikai - Lanikai Beach - A little-visited beach on the east side of Oahu with a length of one and a half kilometers. In the morning, photography enthusiasts have been trying to capture the famous sunrise. The beach looks beautiful against the backdrop of the Koolau Mountains. When the trade wind is blowing, sailing and windsurfing is practiced on the beach. Calm waves, white sand, beautiful panorama in all directions. There are no toilets, showers, even parking for cars, but a beautiful beach with white sand and calm turquoise water fully compensates for these disadvantages.
Kailua - Kailua Beach Oahu has more spectacular beaches with better swimming conditions, but none offers as many leisure options as Kailua Beach. Fishing, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, diving, snorkelling, kiteboarding, sale and rental of water sports equipment. A popular kayaking destination is Popoi'a Island, located about 400 m from the coast. Kailua Beach was named the Best Beach in the USA by Condé Nast magazine in 1998. On weekends, the beach is visited by many local residents, on weekdays there are practically no vacationers.
Laniakea - Laniakea Beach is located about 4 km south of Waimea Bay. Laniakea Beach is most often referred to as "Turtle Beach" because endangered green sea turtles have been basking on the warm sand of the beach since 2000. The turtles were attracted by the abundance of algae in the area. Volunteers are on duty on the beach, they stretch a red rope around the turtles in order to limit them from beach visitors. Take your snorkel and mask with you and enjoy swimming with the turtles. Never touch turtles, otherwise you can get a high fine.
PLAZH LANIAKEA
Malaekahana Beach If you want to be in Hawaii before the moment when jets brought millions of tourists here, then Malaekahana Beach is for you. Surprisingly, very few visitors visit Malaekahana, one of the best beaches on Oahu.
Kahana - Kahana Bay Beach Park A crescent-shaped beach set against a lush valley with high cliffs. Kahana Beach has good fishing and ideal kayaking conditions. Throw in picnic spots, camping spots, walking trails in the forest and you have some of the best beaches on the island.
Koolina - Ko'Olina Lagoons... The owner of the huge Ko'Olina Resort has created four artificial sandy lagoons, turning them comfortable seats for a beach holiday at any time of the year. The almost completely rounded lagoons are surrounded by white sandy beaches bordered by grassy lawns. The generally calm waters are ideal for swimming, with snorkelling available around the boulders at the entrance to the lagoons.
Oahu's North Shore considered the world capital of surfing. Every winter, swells roll over the northern coast of Hawaii - long sea waves formed by storms and storms thousands of kilometers north in the area Bering Sea... Such waves are much more stable in their direction and frequency than ordinary waves generated by the wind, and therefore more favorable for surfing. The north coast in the context of Oahu's geography refers to the northern coastal area of \u200b\u200bthe island between Ka'ena Point and Kahuku Point. The largest settlement in the area is Haleiwa. Every December, it hosts the Triple Crown of Surfing, a series of three world-renowned competitions. The most famous beaches are described below.
SURFING ON NORS SHORE
Ehukai - Ehukai Beach Park stretches continuously as a continuous strip of sand with only one sign - EHUKAI BEACH PARK. Most people think that this is one beach, but in fact, three separate beaches follow one another. Long, wide, white sand, Ehukai Beach is known for its winter surfing. Swimming is safe during the spring and summer months, but coastal currents and strong waves make swimming unsafe during winter. Access to Pipeline and Banzai beaches via Ehukai Beach Park.
Pipeline Beach located next to Ehukai Beach Park near the small town of Pupukea on the north coast of Oahu. When the surf reaches the shallow coral coast in winter, waves are so steep that the crest of the wave, falling forward, forms an almost perfect pipe ("pipeline" means "pipe"). Over the years, the craftsmen tried to master these waves, many of them falling, receiving lacerations and broken bones on the shallow reefs.
Pipeline - Pipeline - the most famous place of huge waves on the north coast of Oahu, it is often called the deadliest wave in the world (the average wave height is almost 4 meters). More surfers have died or been seriously injured on Pipeline Beach than anywhere else in the world. The most important competitions in the world of professional surfing take place here.
Banzai - Banzai Beach To the west of the Pipeline, there is a strip of beach that surfers call Banzai. The Japanese word "banzai" means the battle cry "hurray" or "forward." In the late 1950s, director Bruce Brown was filming one of the first surfing films Surf Safari and saw a surfer riding a huge wave. Brown shouted "Banzai!" and since that time the name stuck. In winter, it is a very popular beach with surfers, curious locals and visiting vacationers. There are not very many people here during the summer months. Again, access to the beach is via Ehukai Beach Park.
Waimea Bay - one of the most beautiful beaches Oahu islands. From October to April, huge waves roll onto the beach, creating a strong reverse current. Even professional surfers are in danger when high waves of up to 5 meters crash with force on the shore. It is hard to believe that in summer this same bay is quiet and calm - a great place for swimming, snorkelling, and diving. On the right side of the beach, turtles swim very close to the shore. The most interesting moment of the visit is the jump from the famous lava rock.
WAYMEA BAY
Sunset - Sunset Beach One of the most popular beaches on Oahu. During the season (September-April), swimming is very dangerous due to high waves (5 meters and more) and strong reverse currents near the coast. The only safe swimming period is summer. To avoid the crowds, visit on weekdays.
The main attractions of Oahu
Polynesian Cultural Center - an open-air theme park at the same time, located on the north coast of Oahu. The Polynesian Cultural Center is one of the most visited tourist places in Hawaii. On its territory, a competition is annually held in which participants demonstrate their skill in using fire knives. There is an IMAX cinema in the park, where you will see 15 minutes. a film about Hawaii. There is also a lagoon where visitors can canoe. On the territory of the Polynesian Cultural Center, villages of the peoples of Polynesia were built, including the traditional houses of Hawaii, Samoa, Aotearoa (now New Zealand), Fiji, Tahiti, Tonga, the Marquesas Islands. In addition to the villages, the Polynesian Cultural Center has a special exhibition dedicated to Rapa Nui (Easter Island). Each village has a show at certain times of the day. We highly recommend visiting the center of Polynesia with an experienced guide. Our guide will carefully plan your time at the Polynesian Cultural Center. this way you can see all the fun and not miss anything. You will be introduced to the peculiarities of each culture in Polynesia. Visitors are invited to participate in a luau (traditional Hawaiian party).
Sea Life Park Hawaii - one of the main attractions of the island of Oahu. Opened in 1964, the park allows visitors to interact with marine animals, swim with dolphins, sea lions and stingrays, and feed turtles. The park also houses a bird sanctuary and an aquarium.
Byodo-In Temple Buddhist Temple located in the Valley of the Temples and is a replica of the 900-year-old temple in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Inside there is a 3 m gold-plated figure of a wooden Buddha. Ponds and Japanese gardens surround the temple against the backdrop of the Koolau Mountains. The Byodo-In Temple is visited by thousands of tourists from all over the world. People of all faiths take part in his services. Apart from services, the temple grounds are often used for weddings and official events.
BIODO-EUN BUDDHIST TEMPLE
Sacred Falls State Park located on the north coast of Oahu. The park covers the Kaluanui canyon and the waterfall at its very end, after which it is named. The falls are closed to the public indefinitely after the fatal rock collapse on May 9, 1999 in the canyon. Then eight tourists died, and many were injured. The only way to see this beautiful natural creation is by helicopter.
Nu'uanu Pali Observation Deck offers panoramic views of the Nu'uanu Valley and the northeastern side of Oahu. Nu'uanu Pali was the site of one of the bloodiest battles in Hawaiian history, during which Kamehameha captured the island of Oahu in 1795 and united it under his rule
OAHU ISLAND
- State: Hawaii, pacific island
- Area: 222 km2
- Population: 905,000 people
- Timezone: GMT - 10 hours, from Moscow - 14 hours
- Telephone code: 808
- Average temperature: in summer 31 ° С, in winter 27 ° С
- The airport:
- Honolulu International Airport
Address: 300 Rodgers Boulevard No 4, Honolulu, Hawaii (HI), 96819-1897, USA
general information
Oahu is a fantastically beautiful island - golden beaches and turquoise lagoons, green hills and flowering gardens, pineapple plantations and fertile meadows, stunning coral reefs and a wide variety of exotic plants, vibrant tropical birds and fish. The island has about 50 beaches, many of which are suitable for water sports, especially surfing.Spacious, fairly wide beaches, picturesque landscapes, memorable sunsets, colorful sunrises - all this you can see in the north coast and central part of Oahu. In the summer months, a calm and measured pace of life prevails here. The north coast comes alive in winter, when windsurfing fans flock to Sunset Beach & Banzai Pineline and get bustling and crowded with windsurfing and bikini contests.
South Oahu is an industrial diving paradise. The scarcity of the coral world is replaced by the impressions of excellent sailing expeditions - the visibility is excellent here. In addition, all dive sites are very easy to reach.
Oahu is the most populous island in Hawaii. Here is the capital of the state and the largest city in the archipelago - the city of Honolulu.
The main part of the island's territory is the slopes of two ridges of extinct volcanoes Waianae and Koolau. In the south is Pearl Harbor, the famous US Navy base.
Honolulu stretches along the ocean coast. Here, next to the skyscrapers, is the white-washed Waikiki beach - one of the most prestigious in the world. Nearby are world-famous hotels and the crater of the Blilliantovaya Head volcano, from the top of which a magnificent panorama of the city opens.
The symbol of the city and, until recently, the tallest building in Hawaii is the "Wish Tower" or "Aloha Tower". The word "Aloha" is also a kind of symbol of the islands. It has many meanings in Hawaiian: hello, goodbye, welcome, i love you. Has a word and philosophical meaning - life in harmony, the exchange of positive emotions.
The former residence of the king is located in the central part of the city - the magnificent Iolani Palace with luxuriously decorated interiors. The design of the Hawaii State Capitol reflects the peculiarities of the archipelago's nature: the dome is in the form of a volcanic crater, the columns are in the form of palm trees. In this building during a ceremony on August 12, 1898. Hawaii has officially become a US state. Nowadays, the Capitol is often used as a backdrop for filming films.
The Windward Coast region is teeming with peddlers and roadside restaurants designed to serve customers in cars.
In the north of the island is Wainea Beach Park, where locals jumping from a high cliff into the sea.
Climate
The climate is tropical, maritime. It is warm and sunny all year round. The difference between winter and summer average air temperatures on the island does not exceed four to eight degrees. Air temperature fluctuates between +29 - + 32 ° C in summer and +18 - + 21 ° C in winter. Most of the rainfall occurs during the winter months.The hurricane season in Hawaii lasts from approximately June to November, when hurricanes and tropical storms are most likely in the North Pacific. Hawaii is protected by the vastness of the Pacific Ocean from direct hurricane attacks, as the hurricane loses its destructive power if it moves northward, encountering colder waters.
Average annual air temperature:
Geography
Oahu, together with the adjacent small islands, covers an area of \u200b\u200b1545 km?. The longest river in the archipelago, the Kaukonahua, flows through the island.How to get there
Honolulu International Airport is located 15 km from Waikiki.Attractions
Iolani Palace is the former residence of the Hawaiian kings and the only royal palace in the United States. This is a fabulously beautiful palace that houses a rich collection of inlaid furniture.The Polynesian Cultural Center is one of the most interesting places on the island. Here you can get acquainted not only with the culture and traditions of the Hawaiian Islands, but many other parts of Polynesia - the islands of Tahiti, Samoa, the Kingdom of Tonga in New Zealand. Each region has its own pavilion. Fascinating shows in national flavor are held here almost every hour - national costumes, musical instruments, fiery dances. And most importantly, tourists also take part in what is happening: weave wreaths, learn to dance local dances, open a coconut, climb trees.
Pearl Harbor and Arizona Memorial. Pearl Habor is a naval base where on October 7, 1941, most of the US Pacific Fleet was destroyed by Japanese aircraft in one day. This is how the Second World War began. On this day, the ship Arizona, on board of which there were more than 3,000 people, died. He still lies at the bottom. The Arizona Memorial now dominates the sunken hull. The memorial is a concrete structure with a transparent bottom. Visitors can see the remains of a ship through the water column.
Valley of the Temples - Valley of the Temples. This is one of the most picturesque places on the island. The Valley of the Temples, stretching against the backdrop of high cliffs, is decorated with traditional Japanese gardens with a tea house and ponds with goldfish. On the territory of an ancient burial place, surrounded by tropical gardens, with a three-ton copper bell, a beautiful Buddhist temple Byodo-In Temple stands serenely. Inside the temple is a 3-meter statue of Buddha, and outside of it you can see a 3-ton copper Peace Bell. The temple is open to visitors from sunrise to sunset.
Waikiki Aquarium. The oceanfront aquarium has an internationally renowned collection of tropical fish. Exhibitions, programs and research focus on the fauna and flora of the tropical Pacific. There are more than 2500 inhabitants of the deep sea. The aquarium is especially interesting for visitors because it gives the opportunity to see all the beauty of aquatic life very close - a real coral reef with live corals, brightly colored fish, jellyfish and even reef sharks.
Bishop Museum. The museum was originally opened as an exhibition of an impressive collection of Hawaiian art and royal family relics belonging to the princess, the last member of the Kamehameha royal family, in whose memory the museum was founded. Since then, the collection has grown many times over: exhibits from various islands of the Pacific Ocean are presented in it. The Bishop Museum has the largest collection of Hawaiian and Polynesian antiquities in the world.
Aloha Tower - This tower was once the tallest building on the islands, its height is 56 meters plus a 12-meter spire. Now it is surrounded by one of the best shopping districts of the city - Aloha Tower Market.
Hanauma Bay is the main attraction of the Windward Coast. The bay is bisected by a beautiful coral reef and is a snorkeling paradise. It is home to numerous species of fish, painted in all kinds of tropical vibrant colors. The bay is part of the Coco Head Regional Park.
For kids
The park"Sea world" with over 2000 species of fish in a giant aquarium and dolphinarium.
Sport
Swimming -Kailua Beach Park, Ala Moana, and Kualoa Point, Waimanalo Bay.
Surfing - Sunset Beach, Banzai Pipeline, Makaha Beach, Kualoa Point, Diamond Head Beach, Laie Bay, Mokuleia Beach Park, DeRussy Beach, Backyards, Fort.
Tennis - Ala Moana Beach Park, Diamond Head Beach, Turtle Bay Resort, Kapiolani Park.
5 Municipal Golf Courses - Ala Wai Golf Course, Pali Golf Course, Ted Makalena Golf Course, West Loch Golf Course, Ewa Villages Golf Course.
Also common are kayaking on the river, hiking, horse riding, mountain biking.
Oahu is an island in the Hawaiian Islands, the capital of the state of Hawaii, Honolulu, the famous beaches of Waikiki and Lankai, Pearl Harbor and the Daimon Head crater and the Haiku stairs are located here. In addition, there are beaches, mountains, national park with albatrosses and other interesting places.
I will tell you about all these sights of Oahu and where they are on the map, about transport around the island, how to get there, where it is better to stay and show our photos.
What to see on the island of Oahu
Crater Diamond Head
Diamond Head (Diamond Head) is a crater of the long-extinct Koolau volcano on the eastern outskirts of Honolulu. It is about 200 thousand years old, so it does not look as "volcanic" as, for example, craters on or. Geologists believe that there will be no new eruptions here.
The indigenous Hawaiians called this place Liiahi (Lē "ahi).
Ticket price: $ 1 per person or $ 5 per car with any number of passengers.
The trek up and back takes 1-1.5 hours.
There are a lot of caveats at the entrance. All along the track there are many signs at the slightest suspicion of a fork. Step left-right - shooting!
And this is the "path". Above, it became more natural.
From the top, you can see the city of Honolulu and the east coast of Oahu, including Waikiki Beach.
There were many birds in the park.
Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii
Honolulu is the most big City and the administrative center of the state of Hawaii, 400 thousand people live here.
Translated from Hawaiian Honolulu means "protected bay". The Polynesians discovered this territory in the 11th century, and the first Europeans (British) appeared here already in 1794. At the beginning of the 19th century, there was an attempt to establish a Russian protectorate here, but the United States intervened and annexed this territory.
The most famous place in Honolulu is waikiki beach (Waikīkī Beach). We looked at it from the Diamond Head crater and did not understand why go there at all, given the crowd.
The sand here is loose, and due to erosion it is constantly eroded.
Nearby is similar kuhio beach (Kūhiō Beach).
In addition to a beach holiday, there are several other interesting places.
Honolulu landmarks:
1. Iolani Palace (Iolani Palace, gav. "Sky hawk") - This is the former residence of the Hawaiian monarchs and the only royal palace in the United States. Built in 1882.
2. Aliyolani Palace (Ali'iolani Hale, gav. "House of heavenly kings") was built in 1874 by the Hawaiian kings. Now in this place is the Hawaiian Supreme Court. Free admission Mon-Fri from 8 am to 4 pm.
3. Aloha Tower (Aloha Tower) is a lighthouse, clock and observation tower located at Pier 9 in Honolulu. Built in 1924. Its height is 56 meters, there are 10 floors - it has long been the tallest building in Hawaii.
The observation deck on the 10th floor is open daily from 9.30 am to 17. It is better not to come during rush hour, because its capacity is only 24 people.
4. Art Museum (Honolulu Museum of Art): It houses one of the largest collections of Asian and Pacific art in the United States, plus works by American and European artists.
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10-16.30, closed on national holidays. The ticket price is $ 20. Free: third Sunday of the month.
5. Bishop Museum (Bishop Museum): Natural history museum and the world's largest collection of Polynesian art.
Opening hours: daily 9-17 except Thanksgiving and Christmas. The ticket price is $ 24.95.
7. Chinatown - an ordinary Chinatown, as in other cities of the world.
8. Also in the city there is zoo and aquarium.
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor (English Pearl Harbor, harbor Pu'uloa) is a harbor near Honolulu, where the operating base of the US Pacific Fleet is located.
On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, and this was the reason for the United States to enter World War II. The films "Torah! Torah! Torah!" Were made about those events. and Pearl Harbor, and now there is a memorial here.
- Monument (National Monument) - from 7 to 17.
- Battleship Missouri - from 8 am to 4 pm.
- Submarine "Bowfin" (USS Bowfin Submarine) - from 7 to 17.
- Aviation Museum (Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum) - from 9 to 17.
Ticket price for everything: adult $ 72, children $ 35. There are options for cheaper tickets if you only want to visit certain places.
Walk along the sea and albatross (Ka "ena Point State Park)
Caena Point (Ka "ena Point State Park) is the westernmost point of Oahu.
The trail runs along the sea and mountains and starts from the end of road 930. You can get to the same place by walking from the end of road 93, but locals say it is more dangerous to leave your car there.
Looking ahead, we have never met such a parking lot, and we have never seen cars with broken glass on the 4 islands of Hawaii, and we traveled a lot there.
Have seen huge albatrossesthat hovered right above us. There, at the end of the road, seals monk seals, but there were none :(
People for scale :)
Then we rode around the island, drove it literally up and down. There was nothing super exciting, but the scenery is pretty nice :)
Very strong waves in places:
But some don't give a damn about it:
Oahu beaches
All these beaches are marked on the Hawaii map, which I inserted at the end of the post.
For swimming: Pōka'ī Bay, Kailua Beach, Lanikai Beach, Waimanalo Beach, Makapu'u Beach.
For snorkeling: Hanauma Bay, Kāne 'ohe Bay.
For surfing: Banzai Beach, Sunset Beach, Mākaha Beach. The big wave season is from December to March.
Turtles
Polynesian Cultural Center
The Polynesian Cultural Center has a Polynesian village, restaurant, daytime and nightly shows.
Ticket prices start at $ 90 (show + dinner), so we didn't visit it.
Haiku Stairs
The Haiku Staircase is a steep path in Oahu. It consists of 3922 steps and leads to the top of the Kula ridge. It starts out as a simple wooden ladder attached to a rock on the south side of the Ha'ikū Valley. The steps rise to a height of 850 meters above sea level and offer a view of the entire island. Sometimes there are dense clouds at this height, and the summit is hiding in clouds. Therefore, this route is sometimes called "Stairway to Heaven".
"Haiku" is not in honor of Japanese poetry, but after the name of the Ha'ikū (Grevillea Banks) flower.
Since 2012, the Haiku stairs have been officially closed to tourists: (For illegal passage through it, they are fined thousands of dollars, but people still continue to climb through it and run into fines and arrests.
How to save on entrance tickets
Go Oahu City Card combo entrance tickets are sold in Oahu:.
There is also an option to compose a card for yourself only from those places where you definitely want to go and in this way.
- snorkeling, kayaking, rafting, surfing, SUP,
- hiking, horseback riding, jeep and bike rides and other outdoor activities,
- zipline, yoga, spa, cooking lessons, fire shows and Polynesian dances, photo shoots and much more for children and adults.
Where to stay on Oahu
Hotels, hotels and apartments
The island is small, but unlike Kauai and Maui, there are many more people and cars here. There are traffic jams in Honolulu.
If you are more interested in museums and nightlife, then it will be more convenient to settle in Honolulu. If beach holidays and nature, then in the southeast of the island.
Considering the prices of food in US restaurants, see options with cuisine.
The best hotels according to tourist reviews:
Hotels all over the island:
Camping in Oahu
On Oahu, we stopped for couchsurfing and never spent the night on campgrounds, but the rules of living in them are the same as in Kauai, Maui and Big Island... We have Hawaiian campsites.
How to get there
The island has one airport - Honolulu (Honolulu, IATA code: HNL). Planes fly here from other Hawaiian islands and some cities in the mainland of the United States.
If you are going to visit all four islands in Hawaii, then.
How to find the cheapest flights to Honolulu from any country
To find cheap flights, I usually compare prices using several aggregators. They all have the same principle - they search for tickets on the bases of hundreds of airlines, but their bases may differ, so the price will be better in one or the other - check everything at once.
- - unrealistically flexible search, and there is a guarantee of connection, even if you are flying with low-cost airlines and the first flight is delayed!
- - the best prices for tickets from Russia and Kazakhstan, a convenient calendar of low prices.
- - there are good prices for tickets from Ukraine.
By the way, KIWI gives coupons of 20 euros for air tickets to new users, but they can only be received by email. Who needs it - I can send an invitation.
Get 20 € on kiwi.com ➜Low Price Calendar:
Life hack: how we saved $ 80 on Hawaiian flights
On most Hawaiian flights, you can carry 2 carry-on bags of 8 kg each, plus a so-called personal item, which can be a laptop bag or a small backpack (the size depends on the arrogance of the passenger). Thus, we checked in only a large backpack, and the rest was carried in our carry-on luggage. On other Hawaiian flights, we also used this rule and saved $ 80 in total!
You can rent a two-wheeled vehicle for transportation from bike to harley.
Rental prices per day:
- regular bike from $ 25
- scooter (moped) from $ 45
- electric bike from $ 50
- motorcycle Honda, Kawasaki from $ 70
- motorcycle Yamaha, Harley-Davidson from $ 120
- Harley-Davidson Heritage motorcycle from $ 180
This is an analogue of car rental sites only for two-wheeled vehicles and ATVs. There is the same system: reservation, deposit, payment by card, the corresponding rights are required. The set includes a helmet (two helmets for motorcycles and mopeds), a lock, a case for things (if needed).
When renting, you pay 10-15%, the rest is already in place.
Public transport - buses
Oahu is the only island in Hawaii that has a normal public transport... Large buses TheBus run around the island.
Schedule and route map: thebus.org/SystemMap/TheBusSystemMap.pdf
Ticket price $ 2.75, day pass $ 5.50. Payment is made in cash without change; money must be thrown into a special box near the driver.
To stop a passing bus, you need to stand under the stop sign. Inside the bus, the signal to stop is to pull the cord that hangs throughout the bus.
Bicycles can be transported if space is available. They are attached in front of the bus outside.
Tours to Honolulu
There are no package tours to Oahu. But you can safely book a flight and a hotel and rent a car on your own using my advice above.
Oahu on the world map
Oahu is part of the state of Hawaii in the United States and is located in the North Pacific Ocean. There is a red dot in the screenshot.
See all the attractions of Oahu and other Hawaiian Islands on an interactive map. You can move it, zoom in, zoom out, and download points to your smartphone.
When to go to Oahu - weather and climate
All Hawaiian Islands are good all year round :)
High season: December-April and June-August. Many people. Housing prices rise 50-100%, especially between Catholic Christmas and New Years. Winter is wetter, but this is the best time to see whales and surf. Summers are hotter.
Transition season: from May to September. The air and sea temperatures are pleasant, mostly sunny. Crowds and prices decrease, except during school holidays.
Low season: October and November. Least of all people, flights and hotels are the cheapest. The weather is dry and hot - it is bad to go hiking.
USA, Hawaii, Oahu
Hawaii Toursand in particular tours to Oahu is beautiful vacation in Hawaii, excellent tours to Oahu and excursions.
Specialization: Rest abroad.
Relaxation
Oahu is the third largest and most populous island in the Hawaiian archipelago. The main tourist destination , here is Honolulu - the most important city in Hawaii.
Oahu climate
Oahu has a tropical, maritime climate with warm and sunny weather all year round. In summer, the thermometer rises here to 29 ÷ 32 degrees, and in winter - up to 18 ÷ 21 ° С. Precipitation falls mainly during the winter months. Oahu's hurricane season is June through November. 
Oahu beaches
Oahu Accommodation
Almost all Oahu hotels are located on Waikiki Beach. Ten of them are located directly on the beach.
The most fashionable are the 5-star hotels Kahala, Halekulani and Royal Hawaiian. According to readers of influential travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler, the best hotels in Oahu are: Halekulani, JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa, Kahala Hotel & Resort and Moana Surfrider (Westin).
Oahu landmarks
- Iolani Palace is a fabulously beautiful palace of the Hawaiian kings, which houses the richest collection of inlaid furniture.
- - the US naval base, destroyed on October 7, 1941 by Japanese aircraft. Today there is a memorial to the Arizona ship sunk during the raid.
- The Polynesian Cultural Center provides tourists with the opportunity to get acquainted with the culture and traditions of not only the Hawaiian Islands, but also other parts - Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga. Each region has its own pavilion. Here, almost every hour is exciting.
- The Bishop Museum, home to a huge collection of Hawaiian and Polynesian antiquities and art.
- Valley of the Temples featuring traditional Japanese gardens and the Byodo-In Temple.
- Hanauma Bay is a diving paradise. It is home to numerous tropical fish species, painted in all sorts of vibrant colors.
- Aloha Tower - in the past, the tallest building on the island - 68 meters (including the spire). Today Aloha Tower Market is located around the tower - a popular shopping destination for tourists.
Accommodation
Tour to Oahu Island, Waikiki Coast, 9 days 8 nights
Tour program
1 day - Island of Oahu and Waikiki Beach. Welcome to Hawaii! Upon arrival at Honolulu International Airport, you will be greeted by a traditional Hawaiian-style company representative with lei and escorted to the baggage claim area. After collecting your luggage, you will be transferred to your chosen hotel on the famous Waikiki coastline.
2nd day - Honolulu. Free time. Relax on the beach. Excursion program for an additional fee. EXCURSION AROUND THE ISLAND (GRAND CIRCLE ISLAND TOUR): Visit the most interesting places of the island of Oahu.
Day 3 - Honolulu. Free time. Relax on the beach. Excursion program for an additional fee.
Day 4 - Honolulu. Free time. Relax on the beach. Excursion program for an additional fee. PEARL HARBOR & HONOLULU CITY TOUR.
